Friday, June 8, 2001
This is as good as it’ll get - THE COMMENTARY
By Joseph Planta
VANCOUVER -- The new British Columbian government took office this week and a week for the history books it was. Monday began with the usual quarterbacking by the pundits on who of the large Liberal caucus would make the cabinet cut and what cabinet (in terms of the ministries) would look like. Tuesday’s swearing-in unveiled that so said cabinet and Gordon Campbell’s breakdown at the end of his speech, garnered some attention. At least more attention than the fact there was to be no more stand alone Aboriginal Affairs ministry. Wednesday’s first cabinet meeting began with many questions. Premier Campbell was grilled on what amounts to a blatant patronage appointment made to the civil service. Andrew Wilkinson, is the press’ first notch on the new government. The cabinet meeting took place and due to that age old oath of confidentiality (an oath the Premier flubbed when taking it on Tuesday) we know not what was discussed. Then questions followed, the Premier and his Finance Minister, Gary Collins’ (sans the grown on ‘Farrell’ moniker) dramatic tax cut announcement. And now he’s off to Ottawa to meet with the Prime Minister and the caucus’ of both the Liberal Party and the Alliance. An interesting week -- the ‘new era’ has begun.
The exercise of cabinet making is one of great fun. It’s fun, because you only get the chance if you win. Gordon Campbell surprised many with who he tapped and who he left on the backbench. Kevin Krueger, the incumbant MLA from Kamloops-North Thompson is a boisterous no-show, as is long time Liberal Val Anderson. Barry Penner, who looked a shoo-in with his vehement opposition to Sumas 2 recently, was not cabinet bound. New MLAs Greg Halsey-Brandt (Intergovernmental Relations), Joyce Murray (Water, Land and Air Protection), Dr. Gulzar Cheema (Mental Health), Sandy Santori (Management Services), Shirley Bond (Advanced Education) and Kevin Falcon (Deregulation) were brought into cabinet for regional purposes or just perhaps for winning their seats. Falcon, I believe was elevated to the Executive Council as he spearheaded the ‘Total Recall’ campaign of a while back. The selections were generally expected, for example Christy Clark’s assumption of the Deputy Premier’s post and Geoff Plant’s move into the Attorney General’s office. Gary Collins in Finance, ditto.
Pomp and circumstance filled the swearing in ceremony, but protocol was bent slightly with Mr. Campbell’s trouble at repeating the cues of His Honour, the Lieutenant Governor during the taking of the oaths. One CBC report -- with which I take exception -- spun that his trouble at repeating the Oath of Confidentiality was due to his campaign promise to televise cabinet meetings on the Internet. The promise is laughable, but the report as seen on The National on Tuesday got it wrong. Campbell was having trouble reciting the oaths prior to the breakout of laughter (he said the word ‘safely’ rather than ‘faithfully’) when pronouncing the Confidentially Oath, which happened to be the third of three.
The flack over Andrew Wilkinson’s appointment as Deputy Minister to the Intergovernmental Relations minister (Halsey-Brandt) is totally justified. Wilkinson, up to this past week, was President of the BC Liberal Party. His appointment to what is generally a non partisan civil service runs contrary to the rancour Mr. Campbell raised when he was in opposition and the NDP were in power. Perhaps Wilkinson is a totally capable person for the job, but the optics of it aren’t clean. Perception is reality, thus people can assume that Campbell’s given a loyal lackey a piece of the power pie that is in front of him.
Not being an economist or an accountant even, the tax cut offered by the Premier and Minister Collins is unprecedented. It is dramatic, as promised, and the Premier can suffice to say, chalk up a promise fulfilled. However what raises justifiable questioning of the cut, is the fact the rich get it as well. The disparity between rich and poor continues, as the tax scheme moves in upward increments. The more your pay packet is, the more the tax cut will be felt. Perhaps low income earners will have more disposable income, but so will the rich. If the exercise was to achieve a bridging between the rich and poor, this tax cut hasn’t. It’s clear that those earning more, will feel the effects of a tax cut. And aren’t those who are in the high earning echelon more inclined to vote Liberal? Just a thought.
All in all, I think Premier Campbell’s off to a great start. He hasn’t pissed off many, and he’s already been accused of blue, bloody patronage. With his unprecedented mandate, plus his large caucus, this will be the apex of this mandate -- the pinnacle of his political career. From here on end, it’s all downhill from here. He will never get a mandate so sweeping and his popularity can’t get any higher than this. Gordon Campbell is on his way, let’s hope it’ll be as good for us, as it’ll be for him.
- 30 -
Questions and comments may be sent to: editor@thecommentary.ca
An archive of Joseph Planta's previous columns can be found by clicking HERE .